Remote Wireless Electric Cab

ABSTRACT

A remote wireless electric cab preferably includes a cab member, an electrical bulkhead, a cab bridge controller and a cab transceiver. The cab member preferably includes a cab enclosure, at least one of electric joystick, at least one electric treadle, a button panel and an operator display. The electrical bulkhead preferably includes a signal socket and a power socket. A vehicle controller is preferably used to receive electrical signals from the button panel and the operator display. The vehicle controller is also connected to the cab bridge controller. Electrical control signals originate from the electric joysticks, the electric treadles, the button panel and a display touch screen in the electric cab. The electric control signals are sent to the cab bridge controller and transmitted through the cab transceiver and the frame transceiver to the frame bridge controller. The electrical control signals are sent to a hydraulic controller.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to heavy equipment and more specifically to a remote wireless electric cab, which is used in conjunction with a remote wireless electric frame for remote operation of the remote wireless electric frame by the remote wireless electric cab.

2. Discussion of the Prior Art

The remote wireless electric frame is located a distance from the remote wireless electric cab. The remote wireless electric frame includes at least one tool, such as a shovel. The remote wireless electric cab communicates wirelessly with the frame module. The wireless communication may be implemented with any suitable wireless protocol. The remote wireless electric cab includes electric operated joysticks and foot treadles, which must be supplied with electrical power to operate the at least one tool. The electrical power is supplied through an electrical generator. Electrical signals from the electric joysticks and foot treadles are transmitted wirelessly to the remote wireless electric frame. It appears that the prior art does not teach or suggest a system for remote wireless operation of at least one tool on a remote wireless electric frame by a remote wireless electric cab.

Accordingly, there is clearly felt need in the art for a a remote wireless electric cab, which is used in conjunction with a remote wireless electric frame for remote operation of the remote wireless electric frame and the at least one tool by the remote wireless electric cab.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a remote wireless electric cab, which allows a remote wireless electric cab to be detached and remotely operated from the remote wireless frame. The remote wireless electric cab preferably includes a cab member, an electrical bulkhead, a cab bridge controller and a cab transceiver. The cab member preferably includes a cab enclosure, at least one of electric joystick, at least one electric treadle, a button panel and an operator display. The electrical bulkhead preferably includes a signal socket and a power socket. A signal cable includes a bulkhead plug extending from one end and a controller plug extending from an opposing end. The bulkhead plug is plugged into the signal socket and the controller plug is plugged into the cab bridge controller for transfer of at least one electrical signal from the at least one of electric joystick, at least one electric treadle, a button panel and an operator display to the cab bridge controller. A vehicle controller is preferably used to receive electrical signals from the button panel and the operator display. The vehicle controller is also used to display information to an operator display. The vehicle controller is also connected to the cab bridge controller.

An output from the cab bridge controller is connected to the cab transceiver. A power cable includes a generator plug on one end and a power plug on an opposing end. The generator plug is connected to an electrical generator and the power plug is plugged into the power socket. With the electric generator connection, the remote wireless electric cab is capable of operating remotely from the remote wireless electric frame through wireless communication.

A docking station may be used to provide a physical foundation and an operational base for the remote electric cab. The docking station includes a base member and an electrical generator. The base member includes a support base and at least two upright mounting members. The at least two upright mounting members extend upward from the support base. A fastener threaded tap or hole is formed through a top of each upright mounting members. The electrical generator is preferably attached to a top surface of the support base. The remote wireless electric cab is preferably attached to the at least two upright mounting members with four fasteners. The electrical generator is connected to the electrical bulkhead through the power cable.

The remote wireless electric frame preferably includes a frame member, a frame transceiver and a frame bridge controller. The frame member preferably includes a frame support, an engine, at least one electrical component, a plurality of hydraulic components and at least one tool. The engine, the at least one electrical component, the plurality of hydraulic components and the at least one tool are retained on the frame support. An electrical control signal originates from the at least one electric joystick, the at least one electric treadle, the electrical button panel or the display touch screen. The electrical button panel includes a plurality of buttons and knobs. The electric joystick, electric treadle, electrical button panel and display touch screen are located in the cab enclosure. Electrical control signals from the electric joystick, the electric treadle, the button panel and the display touch screen are converted into a suitable protocol by the cab bridge controller and sent to the cab transceiver. The cab transceiver wirelessly transmits the electrical control signals to the frame transceiver.

The frame bridge controller receives electrical control signals from the frame transceiver and converts the signals into a suitable form. The electrical control signals are sent from the frame bridge controller to a hydraulic controller, an engine controller and at least one electrical component. The electrical control signals from the joystick and the treadle are sent to the hydraulic controller to control a tool and a plurality of hydraulic components on the frame support. Electrical control signals from the button panel and the operator display are sent to the engine controller or the at least one electrical component.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a remote wireless electric frame, which is used in conjunction with a remote wireless electric cab for remote operation of the remote wireless electric frame and the at least one tool by the remote wireless electric cab.

These and additional objects, advantages, features and benefits of the present invention will become apparent from the following specification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a remote wireless electric cab retained on a docking station in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of a remote wireless electric cab illustrating electric bulkhead in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a top perspective cutaway view of a remote wireless electric cab illustrating two joysticks and two foot treadles in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a remote wireless electric cab illustrating electrical systems in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a remote wireless electric frame in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference now to the drawings, and particularly to FIG. 1 , there is shown a perspective view of a remote wireless electric cab (electric cab) 1 mounted to a docking station 12. With reference to FIG. 4 , the electric cab 1 preferably includes a cab member 10, an electrical bulkhead 18, a cab bridge controller 20 and a cab transceiver 22. With reference to FIGS. 2-3 , the cab member 10 preferably includes a cab enclosure 14, at least one electric joystick 25, at least one electric treadle 27, and electrical equipment 30. The at least one electric joystick 25 and the at least one electric treadle 27 are connected to the cab bridge controller 20 through the electrical bulkhead 18. The electrical bulkhead 18 includes a signal socket 42 and a power socket 44. A signal cable 46 includes a bulkhead plug 48 extending from one end and a controller plug 50 extending from an opposing end. The bulkhead plug 48 is plugged into the signal socket 42 and the controller plug 50 is plugged into the cab bridge controller 20 for transfer of electrical signals from at least one electric joystick 25, the at least one electric treadle 27 and other electrical control devices to the cab bridge controller 20. A vehicle controller 45 is preferably used to receive electrical signals from a button panel 47. The vehicle controller 45 is also used to display information to an operator display 49. The operator display 49 also preferably includes a touch screen. The touch screen may be used to send electrical signals from the operator display 49. The vehicle controller 45 is also connected to the cab bridge controller 20 through electrical bulkhead 18.

An output from the cab bridge controller 20 is connected to the cab transceiver 22. The cab bridge controller 20 converts the electrical signals from the at least one electric joystick 25, at least one electric treadle 27 and the vehicle controller 45 into a suitable form for wireless transmission. The cab transceiver 22 transmits the plurality of electrical signals from the signal socket 42 to a frame transceiver 52. The frame transceiver 52 sends the electrical signals to a frame bridge controller 53. A power cable 54 includes a generator plug 56 on one end and a power plug 58 on an opposing end. The generator plug 58 is plugged into an electrical generator 106 and the power plug 56 is plugged into the power socket 44. The at least one electric joystick 25 and the at least one electric treadle 27 are powered by the electric generator 106 through the power cable 54. With the electric generator 106 connections, the electric cab 1 is capable of operating remotely with the electric frame 2 through wireless communication.

The docking station 12 may be used to provide a physical foundation and an operational base for the electric cab 1. The docking station 12 includes a base member 60 and the electrical generator 106. The base member 60 includes a support base 62 and at least two upright mounting members 64. The at least two upright mounting members 64 extend upward from the support base 62. At least one threaded tap or hole is preferably formed through a top of each upright mounting member 64 to receive a retention bolt or the like for insertion through a floor 15 of the cab enclosure 14. The cab bridge controller 20 and the cab transceiver 22 may be retained on the cab member 14 or the support base 62. The electrical generator 106 is attached to a top surface of the support base 62. With reference to FIG. 4 , the electrical generator 106 is connected to the electrical bulkhead 18 through the power cable 46. The docking station 12 enables the electric cab 1 to remotely operate from and wireless with the wireless frame 2.

However, the electric cab 1 does not have to be used with the docking station 12. The electrical generator 106 may be connected to the electric cab 1 from any other suitable source, besides the docking station 12. The cab bridge controller 20 and the cab transceiver 22 could be physically retained on the cab enclosure 14 and not on the docking device 12.

A diagnostic device 66 may be connected to the cab bridge controller 20 through a wired connection to monitor the electric joystick 25 and the electric treadle 27, status of the buttons of the button panel 47 and the touch screen. A diagnostic device 68 may be connected to the cab bridge controller 20 through a wireless connection.

With reference to FIG. 5 , the remote wireless electric frame 2 preferably includes a frame member 67, a frame transceiver 52 and a frame bridge controller 53. The frame member 67 preferably includes a frame support 68, an engine 80, a hydraulic pump 82, an electrical alternator 84, at least one electrical component 86, at least one tool 88 and a plurality of hydraulicly operated components 114. The engine 80, the hydraulic pump 82, the electrical alternator 84, the at least one electrical component 86, the at least one tool 88 and the plurality of hydraulicly operated components 114 are retained on the frame support 68. The electrical alternator 84 and the hydraulic pump 82 are driven by the engine 80.

An electrical control signal originates from the electrical button panel 47 or the operator display 49. The electrical button panel 47 includes a plurality of buttons and knobs. The operator display 49 includes the touch screen. The at least one electric joystick 25, at least one electric treadle 27, electrical button panel 47 and touch screen 49 are located in the cab enclosure 14. The electrical control signals are sent to the cab bridge controller 20. The electrical control signals are converted into a suitable protocol by the cab bridge controller 20 and sent to the cab transceiver 22. The cab transceiver 22 wirelessly transmits the electrical control signals to the frame transceiver 52.

The frame bridge controller 53 receives the electrical control signals from the frame transceiver 52 and converts the signals into a suitable form. The electrical control signals are sent from the frame bridge controller 53 to a hydraulic controller 118, an engine controller 120 and the at least one electrical component 86. The hydraulic controller 118 controls the flow of hydraulic fluid to various hydraulicly operated components 114 and the at least one tool 88, through a plurality of hydraulic valves (not shown).

A diagnostic device 122 may be connected to the frame bridge controller 53 through a wired connection to monitor various hydraulic pressures of the hydraulicly operated components 114 and status of the hydraulic controller 118, the engine controller 120, the at least one electrical component 86 and the at least one tool 88. A wireless diagnostic device 124 may be wirelessly connected to the frame bridge controller 53 through the frame transceiver 52.

While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects, and therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. 

We claim:
 1. A remote wireless electric cab for communication with a remote wireless electric frame, the remote wireless electric frame includes a frame transceiver, a frame bridge controller, an engine controller, a hydraulic controller and at least one electrical component, comprising: at least one electric control device, an output from said at least one electric control device generates at least one electrical control signal, said at least one electrical control signal is wirelessly transmitted to the frame transceiver, wherein the frame bridge controller receives said at least one electric control signal from the frame transceiver, said at least one electric control signal is sent to at least one of the engine controller, the hydraulic controller and the at least one electrical component, the hydraulic controller controls at least one hydraulicly operated component.
 2. The remote wireless electric cab of claim 1, further comprising: said at least one electric control device is at least one of an electric joystick, a foot treadle, a button panel and a touch screen.
 3. The remote wireless electric frame of claim 1, further comprising: a wireless diagnostic device communicates with said cab transceiver.
 4. The remote wireless electric frame of claim 1, further comprising: a diagnostic device is coupled to said cab transceiver.
 5. A remote wireless electric cab for communication with a remote wireless electric frame, the remote wireless electric frame includes a frame transceiver, a frame bridge controller, an engine controller, a hydraulic controller and at least one electrical component, comprising: a cab transceiver; a cab bridge controller; at least one electric control device, an output from said at least one electric control device generates at least one electrical control signal, said at least one electrical control signal is received by said cab bridge controller, said cab bridge controller modifies said at least one electric control signal for wireless transmission through said cab transceiver, said at least one electric control signal is wirelessly transmitted to the frame transceiver by said cab transceiver, wherein the frame bridge controller receives said at least one electric control signal from the frame transceiver, said at least one electric control signal is sent to at least one of the engine controller and the hydraulic controller, the hydraulic controller controls at least one hydraulicly operated component.
 6. The remote wireless electric cab of claim 5, further comprising: a wireless diagnostic device communicates with said cab transceiver.
 7. The remote wireless electric cab of claim 5, further comprising: a diagnostic device is connected to said frame bridge controller.
 8. The remote wireless electric cab of claim 5, further comprising: said at least one electric control device is at least one of an electric joystick, a foot treadle, a button panel and a touch screen.
 9. A remote wireless electric cab for communication with a remote wireless electric frame, the remote wireless electric frame includes a frame transceiver, a frame bridge controller, an engine controller, a hydraulic controller and at least one electrical component, comprising: a cab transceiver; a cab bridge controller; at least one electric control device, an output from said at least one electric control device generates at least one electrical control signal, said at least one electrical control signal is received by said cab bridge controller, said cab bridge controller modifies said at least one electric control signal for wireless transmission through said cab transceiver, said at least one electric control signal is wirelessly transmitted to the frame transceiver by said cab transceiver, wherein the frame bridge controller receives said at least one electric control signal from the frame transceiver, said at least one electric control signal is sent to at least one of the engine controller, at least one electrical component and the hydraulic controller, the hydraulic controller controls at least one hydraulicly operated component.
 10. The remote wireless electric cab of claim 9, further comprising: a wireless diagnostic device communicates with said cab transceiver.
 11. The remote wireless electric cab of claim 9, further comprising: a diagnostic device is connected to said cab bridge controller.
 12. The remote wireless electric cab of claim 9, further comprising: said at least one electric control device is at least one of an electric joystick, a foot treadle, a button panel and a touch screen. 